Harrell, Orr spark Nettleton’s fourth-quarter comeback

Nettleton 20, Brookland 16

JONESBORO — Calmarre Harrell broke a 52-yard touchdown run and Jordan Orr caught the go-ahead scoring pass as Nettleton erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Brookland 20-16 Friday night.

Eli Letner found Orr down the left sideline for a 36-yard touchdown with 4:59 remaining, giving the Raiders their first lead. Nettleton’s defense stopped Brookland’s final possession on downs, and Harrell helped run out the clock to secure the Raiders’ seventh victory in seven meetings with the Bearcats.

Harrell finished with 112 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. Orr caught five passes for 65 yards, and Letner completed 6 of 17 attempts for 72 yards and a touchdown. Nettleton improved to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in the 5A East.

Brookland controlled the early scoring. An unusual exchange of fumbles on a fourth-down play gave the Bearcats a fresh set of downs after Nettleton appeared to have stopped the possession. Two plays later, Cole Escue broke through the middle for a 39-yard touchdown. Caden Rodriguez’s extra point made it 7-0 with 4:22 left in the first quarter.

The Bearcats threatened again early in the second quarter. Knox Lamberson recovered a loose toss and turned the play into a long gain, and quarterback Layton Byler ran Brookland close to the goal line. A high snap pushed the offense backward, but Rodriguez salvaged the possession with a field goal for a 10-0 lead with 9:20 remaining in the half.

Nettleton took advantage of a mishandled Brookland punt snap to get on the scoreboard. Operating from the Wildcat formation, Kevin Sanders kept the ball after a fake to Harrell and scored from 9 yards. The missed extra point left Brookland ahead 10-6 with 3:56 before halftime.

Neither team scored in the third quarter. Brookland recovered a Nettleton fumble, while the Bearcats’ defense later pressured Letner into an incomplete fourth-down pass to preserve the four-point margin.

Brookland extended its lead early in the fourth. The Bearcats recovered their own fumble near the goal line, and Byler powered through contact for a 2-yard touchdown. The extra point missed, leaving Brookland ahead 16-6 with 10:43 to play.

Nettleton answered on its next possession. Orr’s catch moved the Raiders near midfield before Harrell broke free down the left side for his 52-yard score. Josh Wright’s kick cut the deficit to 16-13 with 8:42 remaining.

Christian McDaniel helped stop Byler on third down to force a punt. Nettleton then overcame a false start, benefited from a Brookland personal foul and moved the chains with an 11-yard catch by Orr and a short Harrell run. Letner returned from the Wildcat package and delivered the winning touchdown pass.

Brookland crossed midfield on its last drive, but Daniel McCary dropped Escue for a 2-yard loss. The Bearcats’ fourth-down completion came up inches short with 1:46 remaining. Harrell later added a 12-yard first-down run, allowing Nettleton to finish with kneel-downs.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

Brookland — Cole Escue 39-yard run (Caden Rodriguez kick). Brookland 7, Nettleton 0. 4:22.

Second Quarter

Brookland — Rodriguez field goal. Brookland 10, Nettleton 0. 9:20.

Nettleton — Kevin Sanders 9-yard run (kick no good). Brookland 10, Nettleton 6. 3:56.

Fourth Quarter

Brookland — Layton Byler 2-yard run (kick no good). Brookland 16, Nettleton 6. 10:43.

Nettleton — Calmarre Harrell 52-yard run (Josh Wright kick). Brookland 16, Nettleton 13. 8:42.

Nettleton — Jordan Orr 36-yard pass from Eli Letner (kick good). Nettleton 20, Brookland 16. 4:59.

Players Who Stood Out

Calmarre Harrell, Nettleton — 27 carries for 112 yards and a 52-yard fourth-quarter touchdown; his late 12-yard first-down run helped seal the win.

Jordan Orr, Nettleton — Five receptions for 65 yards, including the decisive 36-yard touchdown with 4:59 left.

Eli Letner, Nettleton — Completed 6 of 17 passes for 72 yards and the go-ahead touchdown.

Kevin Sanders, Nettleton — Scored on his only carry, a 9-yard Wildcat run.

Daniel McCary, Nettleton — A 2-yard tackle for loss set up Brookland’s unsuccessful fourth-down play on its final possession.

Ty’Quez Cannon and Kylor Robertson, Nettleton — The broadcast credited each with five tackles; Cannon also had a tackle for loss.

Cole Escue, Brookland — Scored on a 39-yard run and contributed gains to the Bearcats’ second touchdown drive.

Layton Byler, Brookland — A 2-yard touchdown run gave Brookland a 16-6 fourth-quarter lead.